Over the next 21 years, the Dominican Republic will pay RD$2.72 billion for the RD$1.46 billion in bonds that is has placed on the market. According to a note from the Department of Public Credit in the Ministry of Finance, the last two governments, the Mejia administration and the current Fernandez administration will pay RD$1.26 billion in interest from now to 2027. In general, the bond issues have been used for public works or to pay off short term, high interest loans. Economist Porfirio Garcia told El Caribe reporters that the bond issues strengthened the position of the Dominican economy since part of the money went to pay debts and relieve serious pressure on the economy.